Mars red paint failure
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C250
Mars red paint failure
Hey, been lurking for a while. I have a '13 C250 coupe. and while washing it today, I noticed some discoloration on the truck lid. to my amazement the paint is completely faded like an old GM car from the 80's. Took to local MB dealer and they said, "Mars Red is having an issue". Waiting for body shop to call me to schedule our COMPLETE repaint!!
Has anyone else had this issue? I used the search feature and found nothing.
Has anyone else had this issue? I used the search feature and found nothing.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 13
From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Mars Red
Hey, been lurking for a while. I have a '13 C250 coupe. and while washing it today, I noticed some discoloration on the truck lid. to my amazement the paint is completely faded like an old GM car from the 80's. Took to local MB dealer and they said, "Mars Red is having an issue". Waiting for body shop to call me to schedule our COMPLETE repaint!!
Has anyone else had this issue? I used the search feature and found nothing.
Has anyone else had this issue? I used the search feature and found nothing.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C250
So, the plot thickens. We had a cold spell last week in florida. Temps in the high 30's low 40's. Thats when paint "faded". Now this weekend temps back in the 70's, paint fine. MB is going to paint vehicle, but there are too many red cars in shop now, we have to wait. What do i do? Car has 7000 miles, now it will be a complete repaint. That has to hurt resale. No?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 73
C204 C250-CDI
Unfortunately the colour red for car duco has always had issues with fade, discolouration etc. and this relates to all car makes.
The only reds that don't suffer these problems are proper baked enamel paints which AFAIK are not used by car manufacturers much at all.
As above if MB are offering a full repaint then get it done and make sure the end result is to your satisfaction
The only reds that don't suffer these problems are proper baked enamel paints which AFAIK are not used by car manufacturers much at all.
As above if MB are offering a full repaint then get it done and make sure the end result is to your satisfaction
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2015 C300 4MATIC
I'm currently having the same issue with my Mars Red '13 C250 Coupe. The entire car is discolored! The whole paint job looks "oxidized," except on the plastic bumpers. It's done this twice now, both times when the weather is up and down temps and rainy. Evidently there are problems with the mars red paint and I will probably need a whole new paint job. Taking it in to the dealer on Friday.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 73
C204 C250-CDI
I'm currently having the same issue with my Mars Red '13 C250 Coupe. The entire car is discolored! The whole paint job looks "oxidized," except on the plastic bumpers. It's done this twice now, both times when the weather is up and down temps and rainy. Evidently there are problems with the mars red paint and I will probably need a whole new paint job. Taking it in to the dealer on Friday.
As above these problems are associated with red colour duco on any car unfortunately
Red colour paint finishes seem to oxidate and fade readily compared to other colours, try to keep them undercover as much as possible when not in use and use high quality wax coatings to help the situation, I had a 17 year old magma red Opel Calibra that looked good for its age and suffered hardly any fade from doing the above couple of things.
